Fighting PCOS Naturally

Last night Hubs and I got on the subject of fate. Although I don't like the thought of my actions being controlled by fate, there are some situations where I was incredibly happy that some things just worked out like fate. If it wasn't for visiting Hubs' aunt right after she got a new puppy, I wouldn't have my cuddly 4-legged child Spike. I knew at some point I would have a dog, but if it wasn't for Spike, I would probably still be dog-less. Spike showed up in our lives when I needed him the most. If it wasn't for Hubs' lawsuit settlement, we wouldn't have Squeeks, my silly little shoulder pirate. One of the sparkles of my eye. My noisy dishwashing partner. But I can go back farther than that. Hubs said he considered dropping out of college when he got shot - 6 months before we met. He said he was really glad that he didn't quit, because he wouldn't have met me. We are both glad that didn't happen. If I hadn't married my first hus...

This past weekend was nice. We were productive at home and spent time with family. Saturday Hubs and I hit up Home Depot for a shovel and some plant stakes. We came home with a grill. It's not a big one - just a $17 Charbroil charcoal grill - but it's ours. We can cook on it anytime we want. Our new goal is to learn how to grill. When we got back home, we started working on the yard. When we first moved in, I was excited about the rose bush that came with the place. But after 3 years of no blooms, I'm fed up with it and ready to use that space for my tomatoes. We bought the shovel to start digging it up. We have yet to succeed. It's like we are attempting to dig up a tree. I've never seen a rose bush so well rooted. But we'll keep working at it, because I really want my tomatoes in the ground! We got the grill put together, and were planning to cook a beautiful Angus steak we picked up. Hubs decided that he didn't want to screw the steak up, so we had a pizz...

I was excited to see the reaction to the Soul Cyster's Weight Loss Challenge giveaway. I know only 4 people entered, but that's 4 more than my last one :) After discussing it with my husband, we have decided to do something that mose giveaways don't do.... Make everyone a winner! I figure that it's not really that expensive since the format changed, and I know how awesome the other participants are, so I want to allow everyone a chance to experience it. Plus, the bigger the pot, the bigger the prize at the end :) So for those of you that entered, check your email! I've sent you the information you'll need to get started in the challenge! I can't wait to get started again :)

This weekend was nice. It was the first weekend since my paycheck has been big enough to handle more than just the bills. So to celebrate, we went to a movie with a friend. We haven't seen a movie in a theatre since Expendables 2 came out last August. We chose Furious 6 - we love the entire series, and they are so much better on the big screen :) When we got home, a few of our neighbors were outside. One of them has a beautiful dog named Bella. She is Spike's girlfriend. One several occasions this week, he has gotten into a lot of trouble because of Bella. He's been darting out the door when he sees her. To deal with this, we put the gate back up. Now he has to be let out of the gate to see her. Anyway, we let Spike out to play with her while we spent some time with the neighbors. I used to be really worried about letting him out without a leash - fearful that he'd run off and we wouldn't be able to catch him. But as long as his girlfriend is outside, he roams the...

I've never written about this. I never thought I would. But I think it's time that I let it out - and I will try not to cry as I write it. It's a sad story, but I think that by letting it out, it will help me move on. Before and after I was dx'ed with PCOS, I took pregnancy tests almost every month. If AF didn't show up, I was at Dollar Tree buying a test. In my heart I wished I would get two pink lines, but in my head I knew it wouldn't happen. So I did my best not to get my hopes up. But in late March of 2008, I got those two lines. I hadn't told Hubs I was taking a test because I saw the heartbreak in his eyes after every previous one. I don't remember the topic of conversation when I walked into the living room that day. He was hanging out with a friend when I sat down on the couch. He asked me a question, and I responded with 'maybe in 8 or 9 months'. He was ecstatic. He couldn't believe it, and he was so happy. Then he laid his head...

A couple of months ago, I received an invitation to try out a website in beta testing called Happify . They must have been reading my depressed posts. Happify is an online program that helps you become happier with yourself and your life. It consists of weekly 'tracks' where you participate in small tasks, usually about reflection on the past and dreams of the future. I'm always skeptical about programs like this. That's why I waited so long to write about it. I wanted to make sure that it was legitimate and useful, and wasn't some ploy to get you to spend money. Over the last several weeks of using it, I have decided it's definitely worth sharing. Why? Because I've been depressed for years, and participating in this site has helped me to see a light at the end of the tunnel. If it can help me get out of a depressive phase, maybe it can make you happier too! One of the best features about Happify is that it is completely free. I haven't purchased...

I've participated in the Soul Cyster Weight Loss Challenge on multiple occasions. I've even won once. And I'm ready to get back in it. So much so that I'm also volunteering to help run it. I'm responsible for creating some of the fitness challenges. I'm really excited about this for a few reasons. First, the format of the challenge has changed. Previously it has been a 3 month challenge, and it goes great for the first month, but activity starts to decline in months two and three. In order to keep everyone going and excited, it's being changed to last just 6 weeks. Instead of weigh-ins every two weeks, there will only be 3 weigh-ins total. The starting weight, mid-weight and end weight. The fitness challenges are going to build on themselves, progressively getting harder. There will be a lot of different options in regards to exercise, including yoga, cardio and circuit training. The participants of the challenge have access to a private facebook group t...

I haven't written my monthly goals out in a while. I believe it's due to my pessimistic attitude, which I'm slowly trying to work on. I've been going through several books about depression and happiness, trying to get back my former, happy self. I'm slowly succeeding, so I figured it was time to try the goals list again. - Exercise at least twice a week - No more donuts!!! If I can cut out coffee and soda, I can cut out donuts. - Shop for produce at farmer's market at least once - Organize the office so I can have a craft day with my niece - Have dinner at the dining table at least 3 times a week - Buy a yoga membership and USE IT. I figure that if I buy it, I'll feel obligated to use it. - Volunteer to make sandwiches for the homeless! I can do it. And I'm really looking forward to it! What are your goals for June? Write about it an join us in the linkup!